Four shows only at Joburg Theatre
Thursday 31 March – Sunday 3 April 2016

The king of croon himself, Luther Vandross, will be celebrated by South Africa’s own “man with the velvet voice” Timothy Moloi in this non-stop nostalgia journey of musical delight.

After a sell-out inaugural concert in August 2015 to rave reviews from media and audience alike, The CoLab Network is thrilled present Always & Forever – A Tribute to Luther Vandross, this time at the Joburg Theatre for four shows only from March 31st to April 3rd, 2016.

Vocalist extraordinaire Timothy Moloi is backed by top vocalists Tia Herman, Lelo Ramasimong and Kurt Herman as well as some of South Africa’s finest musicians and the remarkable 16-strong Voices Unlimited Gospel Choir.

The audience will thrill to the sounds of timeless classics including Superstar, Always and Forever, Endless Love, Power of Love/Love Power, Dance with My Father and many more, as they enjoy a memorable trip down memory lane.

The Music Director is star-on-the-rise Llewellyn George who also penned the musical arrangements done especially for the show and will lead a dynamite 7-piece live band. Direction and Lighting Design is by Cito.

Simply put, Always & Forever – A Tribute to Luther Vandross is a unique concert experience that will take the audience on a nostalgic journey of Luther’s greatest hits from his early songs right up to his final album that featured his 2004 Grammy Award winning hit Dance With My Father, as well as the many great cover versions of classic songs that he made so popular.

Says Collett Dawson of The CoLab Network; “Timothy Moloi has long-since been credited by many with the title “the man with the velvet voice”, as was Luther Vandross himself. So for me, there’s no better feeling in the world than being able to have him and the 26 other artists, on one stage, showcasing the incredible local talent that we have, for the audience’s enjoyment of such a music legend as is Luther Vandross”.

She continues; “We took the decision not to go down the biographical route or have Tim imitate Luther Vandross. It’s a concert in the truest sense of the term, for the die-hard fans and newly converted (to Luther’s iconic music) to come out to the Joburg Theatre for a great evening, sing and dance along to these unforgettable hits that defined a generation”.

Moloi responds; “I’m really excited to have this opportunity to celebrate the music of Luther Vandross once again after the incredible response we received for our concert last year. Not only did Luther’s music have such an influence on me growing up, but it holds so many memories for so many people. If our first concert was anything to go by, both the audience and all of us on stage are in for an incredible evening again.”

There are four shows only from 31 March – 3 April 2016 on The Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre.

Shows run from Thursday to Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm.

Ticket prices range from R150 – R250. Bookings can be done online at www.webtickets.co.za or www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets at selected Pick ‘n Pay stores.

Discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling Joburg Theatre directly on (011) 877 6853/6917. Pensioners also qualify for a 10% discount.

Always & Forever – A Tribute to Luther Vandross is an ideal evening for young and old to celebrate in the magic of this music icon’s legacy that he left behind.

Enjoy this highlights video from the August 2015 Always & Forever – A Tribute to Luther Vandross to get a taste of what to expect:
https://youtu.be/4Lpi6cl2jeA (10-minute highlights video) or https://youtu.be/JjWFKYaHHjo (5-minute highlights video/online advert for Joburg Theatre run)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR EDITORS:

TIMOTHY MOLOI

Timothy is one of South Africa’s most extraordinary talents and with his smooth-as-velvet voice and masterful range, he’s a firm favourite with audiences throughout South Africa.
He is without doubt, one of the most in demand performers; from the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA 2010 World Cup, to Johannesburg Youth Orchestra’s From Russia with Love, to Starlight Classics sharing a stage with Katherine Jenkins, to performing in the presence of heads of state and royalty. Other credits include Motown Gold, Coming Home, A Tribute to Sanatra, Afrika in Afrikaans, Aladdin and most recently, playing Sir Ponce-a-lot in Janice Honeyman’s Pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.
Timothy has been a firm favourite with Johannesburg Big Band / The CoLab Network collaboration shows having starred in My Big Band Valentine, My Favourite Swings and Love Swings .
Tim is also a firm favourite vocalist with South Africa’s finest orchestras including the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannesburg Festival Orchestra, Cape Philharmonic Orchestra to name a few.
His critically acclaimed debut solo album Love That Music was nominated for two SAMA Awards and his videos on YouTube have received more than 500 000 views.

TIA HERMAN
More popularly known as Tima Reece, Tia recorded her debut album “My Body’s Crying” under the International record label, Warner Bros’ “Strictly Rhythm Records” earning her a SAMA Award nomination and she hasn’t looked back since.
In 2003, Tia teamed up with ex-101 pop star, Kurt Herman and co-owner and creative director of their company BluBerry Entertainment, she has co-written and produced a line of highly successful musical reviews and corporate concept shows.
Tia has been further nominated a second SAMA Award for “Best Pop Album” in 2005. She is also a regular part of the Idols band as a backing vocalist and is also appointed vocal coach on the new TV show, The Voice SA. She is currently working on a new album project set for release in 2016.

KURT HERMAN
This triple threat has many accolades across the wide spectrum of our local entertainment industry.
He is instantly recognizable as part of the winning group 101 in the inaugural 2002 Coca Cola Pop Stars Competition, beating over 8000 other hopefulls to this title.
Since 2011, Kurt’s entertainment company BluBerry Entertainment has successfully written and produced renowned shows for a variety of corporate clients and reviews including Fiesta Fever; Chix Rock; What Happens in Vegas and Electric Circus, Latinova; Perfect Pitch; amongst others.
He is a regular back-up vocalist for the Idols reality television series and has recently been appointed vocal and performance coach for the hit vocal competition, The Voice SA.
Recent projects he’s worked on have included RJ Benjamin; Miss South Africa; Musiek Roulette and Always and Forever.”

LELO RAMASIMONG
Since being one of South Africa’s top 10 Idols, Lelo has performed in top venues all over the country. Seventeen Magazine voted her the Top Young South African Artist and she has been a previous finalist in the ‘Cosmopolitan Most Awesome Women of the Year’.
Before being 21 years of age, Lelo won a Durban Theatre Award for Best Newcomer and was nominated for three further Awards. She has since won another Durban Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Theatre Production for Little Shop of Horrors.
Other credits include Dreamgirls, African Footprint (China) and Under African Skies (Holland, Belguim and France), a headline vocalist on Strictly Come Dancing and Coke Studio.
She has share the stage alongside South African music legends such as Gloria Bosmon and Abigail Khubeka.

VOICES UNLIMITED GOSPEL CHOIR
Previously known as Voices Unlimited Music Project, the group was initiated in March 2003 as a vision born in a church where the director of the project Nonhlanhla Kubheka was a coach and a trainer of the worship team. She was a member of the Winds of Change that won the 1994 Shell Road to Fame.
Aimed at equipping their community with activities that empowers them to embrace their talent, their target groups are teenagers, youth, adults and persons with disabilities. This is a spiritual group that has trained different Churches and individuals in Soshanguve, Garankuwa & Brokhorstspruit in Pretoria, Soweto, Vosloorus, Kagiso, within Johannesburg.
They have performed for organisations including Nedbank Ltd, Standard Bank, Eskom and 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.
They have recently released their debut CD.

LLEWELLYN GEORGE – MUSIC DIRECTOR / Arrangements
Llewellyn has been in the industry since 2001. He has played for the UCT Jazz Big Band from 2001-2004 under the leadership of Prof Mike Campbell and Darryl Andrews, also working and recorded alongside the likes of Jimmy Dlulu, Sibongile Mngoma, Judith Sephuma ,Gavin Minter, Sibongile Khumalo, Lebo M ( Lion King) Marcus Wyatt and others.
He’s worked as a Music Director and musician for numerous recording artists such as Danny K, Sibongile Mngoma and Judith Sephuma. He was Musical Director for S.A. Idols 2011 season, is still part of the Idols band and has been the main pianist for the annual Afrikaans Skouspel which attracts well over 15 thousnd people.
He is currently the Musical Director for legendary Afrikaans artist Laurika Rauch and produced the themed music for Miss South Africa 2015 Pageant.
Llewellyn is part of the live band of the current hit television series, The Voice SA.

CITO – Director/Lighting Design
Best known as the frontman for SA’s longest running rock band WONDERboom currently celebrating 20 years in the industry, and his music side projects Absinthe and El Cantante. Cito is also a recently celebrated musical theatre performer starring in hit productions Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess – The Musical and Bovim Ballet’s Queen At The Ballet.
He runs his own recording studio, is in demand for audio design and music direction for a number of events and corporates.
On behalf of The CoLab Network, Cito is fast building a reputation for himself as Director, having received high accolades for recent shows including Swingin’ Christmas, My Big Band Valentine, My Favourite Swings and Love Swings as well as a variety of high profile corporate events.
Recent highlights have included direction and lighting design of An Evening with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the inaugural concert of Always & Forever – A Tribute to Luther Vandross.

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